Exam Period (4)
“Let's talk. I'll buy you coffee.”
“Not coffee—something sweet. Pick something expensive.”
Seo Joo-hwan scrapped his plans to hit the market and took Yoo So-jeong to a room cafe instead. In the enclosed space, she wrapped her arms around her shoulders dramatically.
“What are we doing here?”
“So-jeong, I'm not in the mood for games.”
“...Okay, then stop making that face. You look kinda scary when you don't smile, oppa.”
Seo Joo-hwan relaxed his expression. He must've been scowling without realizing it. Yoo So-jeong took a sip of her honey caramel something-or-other and spoke up.
“Just so you know, I was only listening, so don't get mad at me. I like hearing stories, but I don't gossip behind backs. I'd just ask straight up to their face.”
Seo Joo-hwan nodded for now. He couldn't help the frown at the word gossip, though.
“So, they were badmouthing Ha-yeon?”
“Eek. Stop glaring. Not me—the other girls.”
“The girls?”
“Obviously the girls. In our department, our class, the only guys are you, Seok-chan oppa, and Deok-hoon. I don't know much about Class B.”
“So what kind of gossip?”
“Similar to what I said. Ha-yeon unnie toyed with you and dumped you. She acts all nice but she's a total queen bee. Must've been a total bitch back in the day. All baseless crap.”
Yoo So-jeong sucked on her drink again after that. Seo Joo-hwan took a sip of his Americano, swallowing his rising anger.
After wetting his throat, he asked again. “Why spread that kind of gossip? What business is it of theirs if we broke up?”
“None at all, obviously.”
Yoo So-jeong answered firmly, then smirked. It was clearly mocking, but not aimed at him. She clicked her tongue and continued.
“Why would they need a reason to trash her? They're just jealous 'cause Ha-yeon unnie's prettier and smarter. Low self-esteem makes 'em lash out. Oh, and the biggest thing is she's close to the few guys in our class. Especially you and Seok-chan oppa.”
“Me and Seok-chan?”
“Yeah. You're both hot. They like Seok-chan oppa 'cause he's fun and outgoing, and you've been popular since MT. Lately, they say you've gotten even hotter outta nowhere.”
Seo Joo-hwan made an ambiguous face. Hearing someone call him handsome to his face felt awkward. The idea that his looks could spark jealousy was even weirder.
Yoo So-jeong giggled. “She's been acting all sweet lately, so they think she's an easy target. From my experience, girls are worse than guys at talking shit behind nice people's backs.”
“...So that's the whole reason?”
Yoo So-jeong nodded. Unable to hold back, Seo Joo-hwan spat out a curse.
“Fucking bitches... Spreading baseless crap for that shitty reason?”
He'd thought he was quick to spot malice even if he missed goodwill, but this? He might as well be blind.
Yoo So-jeong shook her head. “They act all nice around you, so of course you wouldn't know. The rumors are pretty new anyway, and only a few people heard 'em.”
Seo Joo-hwan nodded, still frowning. It reminded him of the girls who'd spread rumors about Yoo Ji-kyeong before his regression. He didn't know their faces or names, but maybe they were behind this too.
He pondered, then asked. “What's their names? The ones gossiping.”
“I don't really know.”
“How don't you? Someone must've told you.”
“Yeah, but they just said 'I heard this rumor,' not like they started it maliciously. Me or the one who told me—we both like Ha-yeon unnie.”
“...”
“But what would you do if you found out who started it?”
“Well, obviously...”
Seo Joo-hwan shut his mouth. Then what? He couldn't just go beat them up. Would a calm talking-to work? No way. They'd deny it, play dumb. Unless he caught them red-handed.
“Fuck.”
Another curse slipped out, and Yoo So-jeong glanced nervously before saying, “Sorry, oppa. I feel bad for stressing you out over nothing.”
“...Nah, it's fine.”
“Thanks. But ignore the gossip. If Ha-yeon unnie actually did that stuff, whatever, but it's all bullshit. Baseless rumors will just make the spreaders look stupid if you leave 'em alone. More people like her anyway.”
“...Good, but one wrong rumor can spiral outta control later. It's easy as hell to make someone look like an idiot.”
He knew from experience—both his own and others'. Rumors twist. Words thrown out without basis snowball as they spread, gaining flesh until they're taken as truth.
Yoo Ji-kyeong had been a victim before his regression. Words are like that.
Yoo So-jeong nodded, sipped her drink, and said, “Ha-yeon unnie'll be fine anyway.”
“Why?”
“You guys, Deok-hoon, Ji-kyeong—you're all tight. With four close friends, what's to worry? And oppa, know the difference between introverts and extroverts?”
Seo Joo-hwan had nothing clear to say, so he just looked at her. She continued.
“Whether you've got people to defend you. You guys are the most famous in the department. Hot guys, pretty girls, even the weird ones—all together.”
“Weird ones?”
“Deok-hoon.”
“Ah.”
Seo Joo-hwan suddenly felt bad for Jang Deok-hoon. Yoo So-jeong burst out laughing at his reaction, then said, “Don't worry too much. I'll help keep the rumors down. Like I said, I like Ha-yeon unnie.”
“...Thanks.”
“Pfft. No need. Those girls catch Ji-kyeong's eye, she'll verbally wreck 'em. Bet she's grinding her teeth right now.”
“Haha... yeah, probably.”
Seo Joo-hwan chuckled dryly at the thought. Yoo Ji-kyeong had a strong backbone. She spat venom with a smile. To him, she was a cute raccoon slave calling him master, but socially, she outdid him and Jeong Ha-yeon.
His laugh made Yoo So-jeong grin back. She said, finally relaxing, “You shouldn't scowl, oppa. It's scary.”
“It hurts, so cut it out. That's why I smile all the time.”
“Ahaha. Maybe scowling suits you better? Might have demand.”
“What the hell?”
He asked incredulously, and she cracked up. After laughing, she said, “Can I ask something too?”
“Sure, if I can answer.”
Yoo So-jeong leaned in eagerly. “Hmm. How'd you and Ha-yeon unnie break up... Nah. Why stay friends after? Most people avoid each other post-breakup. Can't even talk normally.”
Seo Joo-hwan chose his words carefully, then said calmly, “...You mentioned the rumor she toyed with me? It wasn't that. My fault it ended. Not getting into details—just know that.”
“Got it.”
“We stay friends 'cause she wants to. Least I can do after my screw-up. And... I can't just ghost someone after. Can't wrap my head around that.”
If it'd ended in a huge fight, maybe. Cheating or violence? Cut ties. But otherwise? Couldn't pretend they were total strangers.
They'd dated 'cause he liked her once—how ignore that right away? Seemed harder to him.
But people differ, no right answer maybe. Yoo So-jeong tilted her head, still puzzled, and said, “Even if it's awkward?”
“...That obvious?”
“Ha-yeon unnie maybe not, but you show it a bit. Fine with others, but awkward one-on-one.”
Seo Joo-hwan smiled bitterly. Thought he'd hidden it well. Even as friends, after intimacy, zero awkwardness was impossible. Time would fix it, though.
Yoo So-jeong suddenly asked, “Oppa, you still like Ha-yeon unnie?”
He blinked, then grinned. “Of course. We're friends.”
“...Eww. Does she like you?”
“Dunno. Friends, so probably?”
She stared, then grimaced. “Hate to say it, but... can't hold back. Can I curse you?”
“Pfft. Go ahead.”
“Crazy bastard. Future girlfriend's got it rough.”
Seo Joo-hwan just shrugged. Another girlfriend? Doubtful.
*
Seo Joo-hwan shopped and headed home.
“Dinner later.”
He set an alarm and lay down. Long-overdue nap during exams was medicine.
His smartphone buzzed.
Seo Joo-hwan chuckled. Called him crazy, then stole his number. She'd been a KakaoTalk friend before anyway.
After chatting briefly with Yoo So-jeong, he closed his eyes.
*
Nearing the meetup time, Seo Joo-hwan prepped dinner. Oddly, the tattoo on his hand kept glowing. No one around—what for?
Then Yoo Ji-kyeong called. Sudden shift work till closing—she couldn't make it. Disappointing, but he just encouraged her.
But she wasn't the only no-show. By 7 PM, still no one. He called Lee Seok-chan and Jang Deok-hoon first—no answer. About to call Jeong Ha-yeon—
Ding-dong.
Opening the door, Jeong Ha-yeon waved. “Sorry I'm late. Dozed off.”
Seo Joo-hwan blinked. “Alone? Where's Seok-chan?”
“Huh? Wasn't he here already?”
“No one's come yet.”
“...Oh. Wasn't it 7? Thought I was late—guess I'm first. Ahaha.”
Her laugh sounded off. Seo Joo-hwan smiled awkwardly too, scratching his eye corner. First time alone since breakup?
Awkwardness hung between them.
“...Come in. They'll show soon.”
“Y-yeah. Whoa, smells good. Whatcha make?”
“Dak dori tang. Got noodles for dessert too.”
Simple talk felt labored. Can't meet eyes, he thought. She was looking elsewhere while speaking. He'd admired her treating him like a normal friend, but now she seemed more awkward than him.
Tch. Different alone.
They'd talked one-on-one post-breakup, but always with others around. Sealed room, just two—awkwardness hit hard.
They sat at the table, chatting idly. Silence felt suffocating.
After 20 minutes, Seo Joo-hwan said, “...Eat first? No one's picking up.”
“Ji-kyeong's at work, right?”
“Yeah. Barely slept—closing shift'll kill her.”
Jeong Ha-yeon nodded. He brought out the pre-stirred dak dori tang. They ate quietly. Skipped dessert noodles—more food than expected without the crowd.
Finished, she said, “Ate too much—it's so good. Ugh, overeat and I'll nap studying.”
“Your under-eyes are dark anyway. No nap today?”
“Last day—pulled all-nighter. Two exams tomorrow.”
“Tch. 'Today' my ass. Dark circles since day before. You'll collapse.”
“Worrywart. Hey, I did judo in middle school, y'know?”
“Didn't tell me. Knew you trained, that's it.”
“Idiot. We dated a month and you don't kno—...”
She clamped her mouth. Slipped out thoughtlessly in fullness. Seo Joo-hwan shut up too. They'd dated a month but knew so little.
Same for her about him.
......
Awkwardness lingered. Seo Joo-hwan suddenly looked at her seriously.
“Ha-yeon.”
“...Yeah.”
“Why'd you wanna date me?”
*
Jeong Ha-yeon didn't go home because of the awkwardness. Being together was awkward, but leaving would make next time worse. She'd said friends—bailing over awkwardness meant not friends.
Scratch scratch.
Pen scratches filled the quiet. Facing desks, they studied silently. No talk for focus—and to forget awkwardness.
She wrote key words by hand, rewriting summaries. He highlighted pre-summarized printouts—summarizing the summary.
Studying on, he recalled her earlier words. 'You seemed similar to me somehow. Drew me in. And different too—thought it'd be nice together.'
Vague. Never pinned it down—she'd changed topics.
Can we really be friends?
Thought it ended well, but now? Ambiguous. They hadn't broken from hate. Regret? No—would've ended worse if continued.
Time would heal. But time flows slow—didn't fix now. Awkwardness would linger; how long?
Lost in thought, thunk. Black pen rolled across the desk.
He eyed the pen at his spot, then her. Her straight black hair bobbed—she was dozing.
“Yeah, sleep.”
Better let her. Dark circles—studying more, she'd crash tomorrow.
He draped a thin blanket over her. Then—